WAKISO.A Commissioner in the Ministry of Finance was today sentenced to Luzira Prison on remand over alleged aggravated human trafficking. Dr. Maxwell Adea, a Commissioner in Charge of Micro Finance appeared before the Magistrates Court at Nabweru in Wakiso District for plea.

He was however not allowed to plead to the charges and applying for bail. Trial Magistrate, Ms Hope Bagyenda told the accused person that the court did not have powers to hear his case.ope Bagyenda told the accused person that the court did not have powers to hear his case.

“I don’t have the power to handle this case. You can only apply for bail from the High Court,” held Ms Bagyenda before remanding Dr Adea until March 18 for mention of the case.

Dr Adea, 50, is charged with alleged aggravated human trafficking, an offence that attracts a maximum penalty of death upon conviction.He appeared in court after being sent on forced leave and ordered to hand over office.

Dr Adea was arrested last week and detained at the Police’s Special Investigations Unit in Kireka on charges of rape and human trafficking. The arrest prompted the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mr Keith Muhakanizi to direct Dr Adea to respond in writing to the allegations against him.

Prosecution alleges that in the month of January 2014 at Ngai Sub County in Oyam District, by means of deception, Dr Adea recruited, transported a 17 year old Akao Moreen to Kazo, near Kawempe in Wakiso District for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

It is alleged that Dr Adea lured his alleged victim by promising to pay her school fees.

However, Dr Adea in a brief interaction at court maintained his innocence arguing that the charges were crafted fail his him at work.“These are charges to bring me down after I refused to misappropriate government money,” he added.